Denmark, SC (WLTX) - One of the astronauts who took to space Monday, Dr. Robert Satcher, was the 1982 valedictorian of Denmark-Olar High School.
There are still teachers there who remember Satcher and the students that watched the launch will never forget. Related Coverage: Space Shuttle Atlantis Launches to Space Station
"That's the first we ever heard of somebody doing something that great. Denmark has a lot of of greatness coming from it, but that right there - that's amazing," says junior Tiffany Bias.
She had her full attention on the screen as a graduate of her high school launched into space. "It proves to us that even though we come from a small community that we can do things just as great and be just as successful as he is," she says.
In this town of only about three thousand, English teacher Sandra Moody saw that same concentration 17 years ago from a then-senior Satcher. "When I first heard about this, the image that came to my mind was - I saw a student, sitting in a chair staring straight at me. That's why I say he's very focused, he's a very intelligent young man," Moody remembers.
When she watched the shuttle carrying her former student launch, a little piece of her went with him. "I'm very proud that I was able to play such a small part in his academic success. I feel great. I feel terrific," says Moody.
Many of the students didn't learn about Satcher's accomplishments until Friday when the principal announced he would be on the shuttle. Since then, junior Stephanie Smith's own future has been on her mind. "That's something that I want to do. I want to be a good student and have the opportunity to do something like he did," she says. Related Coverage: Chapin Middle School Students Study Butterflies in Space
And everyone's been wondering who will be the next here to make history. Says Smith of Satcher, "That's somebody from my town and I'm proud of him."
After graduation, Satcher went to college at MIT, graduated with a doctorate in engineering and also graduated from Harvard Medical School .
He was selected to be a part of NASA in 2004 and this is his first mission into space.
11/16/2009 8:14:38 PM
